Compare
Wild Turkey 81 vs Ancient Age
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Ancient Age and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 | ~$14 – $18 ~$7 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Ancient Age do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).